The High Court in Makhanda set aside several
unlawful decisions by the council of the Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality earlier
today, July 12.
According to DA MP Samantha Graham-Maré the order of the court set aside the
election of the mayor and the chief whip, which will now require the process to
commence afresh.
Furthermore, the court also declared that the
budget was unlawfully adopted and that the budget must be re-tabled for
consideration by council.
Graham-Maré, said the final order also stated
that the Dr Beyers Naude Local Municipality will carry the costs of the
application.
“While the DA is pleased with the outcome of
this matter, the fact remains that the Speaker, Cheslin Felix (CSA), opted to
ignore the law and acted against the advice of the DA caucus in order to put
the ANC back in the mayoral seat,” said Graham-Maré.
She said the DA will submit another motion of
removal in the Speaker considering the outcome of this court application.
